Golf bag buckle and mounting structure for golf cart

ABSTRACT

A buckle structure for mounting on the frame of a golf cart releasably to buckle a golf bag thereto includes brackets which are attachable to the frame and extend in opposed directions to the axis thereof. Belt-engaging prongs are slidably attached to the brackets at their outboard ends to form openings or eyes on both sides of each of the prongs. A belt is attached to the prongs, being threaded through the eyes outboard thereof to pass outside of the brackets from one outboard end to the other. The reach of the belt between such outboard ends forms a resilient sling against which the golf bag is supported, the belt thereupon encircling the golf bag and passing inboardly of the prongs to be received thereupon. The belt thus retains the bag snugly against the sling, yet the bag is kept removed from the brackets to prevent its being damaged thereby.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Ammon M. Leitzel Portland, Oreg.

[21] Appl. No. 877,072

[22] Filed Nov. 17, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [73] Assignee Jarman Company of Oregon Portland, Oreg.

[54] GOLF BAG BUCKLE AND MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR GOLF CART 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 248/96, 280/DlG. 6 [51] Int. Cl B62b 1/02, A63b 55/08 [50] Field of Search ..248/96, 361 A, 361 AA, 358 A; 150/] .5 R; 280/41 D, 47.24

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,983,413 5/1961 Verwers 248/361 AX FOREIGN PATENTS 869,381 5/1961 Great Britain. 280/DIG. 6 l,025,705 4/1966 Great Britain 280/DIG. 6

Primary Examiner-Chancellor E. Harris Attorney--Buckhorn, Blore, Klarquist and Sparkman ABSTRACT: A buckle structure for mounting on the frame of a golf cart releasably to buckle a golf bag thereto includes brackets which are attachable to the frame and extend in opposed directions to the axis thereof. Belt-engaging prongs are slidably attached to the brackets at their outboard ends to form openings or eyes on both sides of each of the prongs, A belt is attached to the prongs, being threaded through the eyes outboard thereof to pass outside of the brackets from one outboard end to the other. The reach of the belt between such outboard ends forms a resilient sling against which the golf bag is supported, the belt thereupon encircling the golf bag and passing inboardly of the prongs to be received thereupon. The belt thus retains the bag snugly against the sling, yet the bag is kept removed from the brackets to prevent its being damaged thereby.

PATENTED mm 5 IQTI 3.6101559 AMMON M. LEITZEL INVENTOH BUG/(HORN, BLORE, KLAROU/ST 8 SPAR/(MAN GOLF BAG BUCKLE AND MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR GOLF CART This invention relates to a golf cart, and more particularly, to an improved buckle structure for attaching a golf bag to the cart.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved means of attaching a golf bag to a golf cart.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of attaching a golf bag to a golf cart whereby the bag will be retained between portions of a strap, yet removed from contact with any portions of the cart which might cause damage thereto.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means of attaching a golf bag to a golf cart whereby the bag may experience a floating action against a sling formed by a belt adjustably retained in a buckle structure supported by the can.

Specifically, the invention provides a buckle structure which is adapted to be mounted on the frame of a golf cart releasably to buckle a golf bag thereto. Bracket means attachable to the frame extend in opposed directions to the axis thereof and include belt-engaging prong means at the outboard ends of the bracket means. Such prong means are so disposed as to provide belt-receiving eye means in the bracket means on both sides of each of the prong means.

A golf-bag-encircling belt is received upon the prong means by means of apertures therein, the belt being threaded through the eye means outboard of the prong means to pass outside of the bracket means from one outboard end to the other. The reach of the belt between the outboard ends of the bracket means thus forms a resilient sling against which the golf bag may be supported. After encircling the golf bag, the belt passes through the eye means inboard of the prong means, again being received thereupon by means of apertures formed adjacent its end. The belt thereby snugly retains the golf bag against the sling, but keeps it removed from the bracket means to prevent damage to the bag.

The invention is explained in the following description which refers to the attached drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts in the several figures.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a golf cart provided with the buckle structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. El.

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view of the belt.

Referring now in detail to the drawings. there is shown therein a golf cart for carrying a golf bag 12. The cart includes a cart body 14 comprising a single tubular frame 15 and being supported when running by wheels 16 mounted on legs. 18 which are adjustable relative to the body 14. A foldable handle 20 is also attached to the frame 15 to permit the steering and propelling of the cart. The buckle structure 21 of the present invention is illustrated as attached to the frame 15 at both top and bottom to attach the golf bag 12 to the cart, although of course it will be understood that only one such buckle structure may be needed or desired per cart.

Each such buckle structure 21 thus is comprised of a pair of U-shaped metal wire brackets 22 attached to the frame 15 by a clamp 24, being retained by a bolt 26 and nut 28. The brackets 22 have their open ends 30 disposed inwardly and are thus able to slide within the clamp 24 when the latter is not tightened. This permits a certain amount of lateral adjustment in the width spanned by the brackets 22 as can be seen from FIG. 2. The closed ends 32 of the brackets 22 are bent as at 34 to extend in circumscribing relationship to the golf bag 12; that is, the brackets 22 extend laterally in opposite directions to the axis 35 of the frame 15 with their outboard ends 32 bent in the direction of the golf bag 12.

Belt-engaging prong means in the form of a pair of metal prong members 36 are slidably attached to the brackets 22 by means of upper and lower folded portions 38 which are received upon the parallel wire members 40 of the brackets. Each prong member 36 is further provided with a single tooth 42 which extends generally in the direction of the frame 15. (See FIG. 4.)

By virtue of its position with respect to the closed end 32 of the bracket 22, each prong member 36 provides in essence an opening or eye 44 outboard thereof and, of course, an additional opening or eye 46 inboard thereof between the parallel members 40 the the bracket. Such openings or eyes make it possible to achieve the unique threading action of the belt which is a feature of the present invention.

The invention also includes a belt 48 to retain the golf bag 12 on the cart. Belt 48 may desirably be made of vinyl plastic and is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 50. A first such aperture 50a is formed adjacent one end 52 of the belt, and this aperture 50a is received upon the tooth 42a of the prong member 36a. A second such aperture 50b is formed in the belt 48 a distance removed from the first aperture 50a so as to be received upon the tooth 42b of the other prong member 36b. Additional apertures 50c are fonned adjacent the other end 54 of the belt to complete the attachment thereof in a manner to be hereinafter described.

In operation, the belt 48 is first hooked on the tooth 42a of the prong member 36a by means of the aperture 50a at the end 52. The belt is then threaded outwardly through the open ing or eye 44a outboard of the prong member 36a so as to pass outside of the bracket 22a, extending to the outside of the bracket 22b as shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter, the belt is threaded inwardly through the corresponding opening or eye 44b outboard of the prong member 36b and the second aperture 50b is hooked on the tooth 42b. It will thus be seen that the reach of the belt between and outside of the closed ends 32 of the brackets 22 formed a relatively taut, resilient sling 58 against which one side of the golf bag 12 may be supported.

After being received upon the tooth 42b, the belt is thereafter threaded outwardly through the opening or eye 46b inboard of the prong member 36b, passing next around, and thereby encircling the golf bag 12. The end 54 of the belt is finally threaded inwardly through the opening or eye 46a inboard of the prong member 36a to permit at least one of the apertures 500 to be received upon the tooth 42a. Depending on the size of the golf bag, it may be possible or desirable to complete threading of the end 54 of the belt 48 through the opening or eye 46b inboard of the prong 42b to permit another of the apertures 500 to be received upon the tooth 42b.

It is thus seen that by retaining the bag 12 between the sling 58 and the wraparound portion 59 of the belt, the bag is provided with a floating type of support, resting against the sling 58 but removed from the brackets 22 and indeed from any part of the cart 10, thereby to prevent damage to the bag. Obviously, different sized golf bags may be accommodated merely by drawing additional lengths of the belt 48 through the opening or eye 46a inboard of the prong member 360, with attachment or another aperture 500 to the tooth 42b should such be necessary. It will further be understood that although the golf bag 12 has been illustrated as supported at both its top and bottom by the buckle and belt combination of the present invention, only one such buckle structure may actually be necessary or desired. It will further be understood that different forms of brackets 22 and prong members 36 may be utilized, the invention being limited only by the scope of the following claims.

I claim: 1. In combination, a golf bag buckle adapted to be mounted on the frame of a golf cart releasably to buckle a golf bag to said cart, said buckle having bracket means attachable to said frame, said bracket mean extending in opposed directions to the axis of said frame, the outboard ends of said bracket means extending in circumscribing relation to said golf bag, and

belt-engaging prong means attached to said bracket means at each of its said outboard ends, said prong means being disposed to provide belt-receiving eye means in said bracket means on both sides of each of said prong means; and

a golf bag encircling belt, said belt having a first aperture at one end thereof, said first aperture being received upon one of said prong means,

a second aperture removed from said first aperture and adapted to be received upon the other of said prong 5 means, and

a plurality of apertures adjacent the other end thereof,

said belt being threaded outwardly through said eye means outboard of said one prong means to pass outside of said bracket means form one of its said outboard ends to the other,

said belt thereupon being threaded inwardly through said eye means outboard of the other through of said prong means to permit said second aperture to be received upon said other prong means,

the reach of said belt between said outboard ends of said bracket means forming a resilient sling against which one side of said golf bag may be supported,

said belt thereupon being threaded outwardly through said eye means inboard of said other of said prong means to pass around the other side of and encircle said golf bag,

said belt thereupon being threaded inwardly through said eye means inboard of said one prong means at least to permit one of said plurality of apertures to be received upon said one prong means, thereby to retain said golf bag snugly against said sling yet removed from said bracket means to prevent damage to said bag.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said prong means are slidably attached to said bracket means at each of it outboard ends.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said bracket means comprise a pair of brackets and clamp means, said brackets being slidably received within said clamp means, said clamp means being adapted adjustably to secure said brackets to said frame of said golf cart.

4. The combination of claim 3 in which said brackets comprise wire brackets, said brackets being generally U-shaped, the open ends of said brackets being disposed inwardly and being received within said clamp means, the closed ends of said brackets being disposed outwardly, said prong means being slidably mounted on said closed ends of said brackets. 

1. In combination, a golf bag buckle adapted to be mounted on the frame of a golf cart releasably to buckle a golf bag to said cart, said buckle having bracket means attachable to said frame, said bracket mean extending in opposed directions to the axis of said frame, the outboard ends of said bracket means extending in circumscribing relation to said golf bag, and belt-engaging prong means attached to said bracket means at each of its said outboard ends, said prong means being disposed to provide belt-receiving eye means in said bracket means on both sides of each of said prong means; and a golf bag encircling belt, said belt having a first aperture at one end thereof, said first aperture being received upon one of said prong means, a second aperture removed from said first aperture and adapted to be received upon the other of said prong means, and a plurality of apertures adjacent the other end thereof, said belt being threaded outwardly through said eye means outboard of said one prong means to pass outside of said bracket means form one of its said outboard ends to the other, said belt thereupon being threaded inwardly through said eye means outboard of the other through of said prong means to permit said second aperture to be received upon said other prong means, the reach of said belt between said outboard ends of said bracket means forming a resilient sling against which one side of said golf bag may be supported, said belt thereupon being threaded outwardly through said eye means inboard of said other of said prong means to pass around the other side of and encircle said golf bag, said belt thereupon being threaded inwardly through said eye means inboard of said one prong means at least to permit one of said plurality of apertures to be received upon said one prong means, thereby to retain said golf bag snugly against said sling yet removed from said bracket means to prevent damage to said bag.
 2. The combination of claim 1 in which said prong means are slidably attached to said bracket means at each of it outboard ends.
 3. The combination of claim 2 in which said bracket means comprise a pair of brackets and clamp means, said brackets being slidably received within said clamp means, said clamp means being adapted adjustably to secure said brackets to said frame of said golf cart.
 4. The combination of claim 3 in which said brackets comprise wire brackets, said brackets being generally U-shaped, the open ends of said brackets being disposed inwardly and being received within said clamp means, the closed ends of said brackets being disposed outwardly, said prong means being slidably mounted on said closed ends of said brackets. 